Chicken Skewers, Sausage Rolls and More Philly Street Foods for Eating on the Go
Seven portable, handheld, on-the-go eats for those days when you don’t have time to sit down and have a full meal.
Chicken on a stick at South Street Souvlaki is just one example of great grab-and-go street food in Philly / Photograph by Caroline Cunningham
Philly has a few classic handheld, on-the-go eats. There’s the most obvious choice: the cheesesteak. We love cheesesteaks over here. In fact, we have a whole guide to our favorites. Other options include soft pretzels and even a hoagie. But we also happen to have a whole variety of street foods from around the world, ideal for grabbing on the go and eating on the move, from flaky, pastry-wrapped sausage rolls to sweet and savory crepes. Next time you’re running around the city, grab one of these treats to keep you fueled up until your next meal.
Chicken or pork on a stick from South Street Souvlaki, Queen Village
You can go into South Street Souvlaki and have a nice, sit-down meal. But if you’re looking for an affordable pick-me-up, go directly to their takeout window and order a couple of their $4 souvlaki — either chicken or pork. There can’t be anything more portable than meat on a stick — the only limitation is how many you can hold at one time. 509 South Street.
Crepes from T-Swirl Crepes, Chinatown and Haddonfield
When T-Swirl opened in 2015, it created quite a stir with its gluten-free, stuffed-to-the-brim crepes. You may never have thought you wanted a cone-shaped crepe stuffed with a niçoise salad or an Okinawa-style hot dog, but that’s because you simply haven’t known what you’re missing. Find their website here. 150 North 10th Street and 115 Kings Highway East.
Samosas from International Food and Spices, University City
This food market sells a small selection of other prepared Indian items, but the samosas are 75 cents, stuffed with perfectly spiced potatoes, and small enough that you could eat three on your way to picnic at Clark Park and three more when you get there. Find their website here. 4203 Walnut Street.
Sausage rolls / Photograph courtesy of Stargazy
Sausage rolls from Stargazy, East Passyunk
Stargazy gets a lot of love for their savory pies with mashed potatoes and electric-green parsley liquor for sopping. But if you’re in a hurry or can’t make time for a nap after lunch, grab one of their sausage rolls — a meaty, flaky, savory bite that will keep you going all day and into the night. 1838 East Passyunk Avenue.
Whatever he’s serving at the Octopus Falafel Cart, Center City
The Octopus Falafel Cart doesn’t serve octopus. It has no menu, no website. It’s just one guy named Gus, serving really good grilled chicken, falafel, and unexpected saffron-infused noodle dishes out of his cart every day. He uses a charcoal grill, cooks everything fresh, and only serves one thing each day. Regardless of what he’s plating on any given day, trust that it’ll be outstanding. Don’t forget: It’s cash only! 8 South 20th Street.
Porchetta sandwiches and pastries at Small Oven & Porco’s, Point Breeze
Walk up to the window at Porco’s and order the best porchetta sandwich in Philadelphia. And for dessert, take a few steps over to their pastry window — the Small Oven — for their irresistible Oreo cheesecake bar, death by chocolate olive oil cake, or their wide variety of cookies. This spot is proof that we really can have it all. 2204 Washington Avenue.
Kimbap at Cafe Walnut, Washington Square West
While Cafe Walnut doesn’t have a takeout window, they happen to serve kimbap, small Korean rice balls stuffed with things like spicy tuna and bulgogi pork, all conveniently wrapped in a sheet of seaweed, making them a perfectly portable bite. They only make a few each day, and they don’t start serving them until noon, but they’re one of the single best items to eat on the go in Philadelphia. 703 Walnut Street.
